EVERLASTING DAISIES

Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the golden everlasting or strawflower, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Australia. Described by Étienne Pierre Ventenat in 1803, it was known as Helichrysum bracteatum for many years before being transferred to a new genus Xerochrysum in 1990.

It grows as a woody or herbaceous perennial or annual shrub up to a metre tall with green or grey leafy foliage. Golden yellow or white flower heads are produced from spring to autumn; their distinctive feature is the papery bracts that resemble petals. The species is widespread, growing in a variety of habitats across the country, from rainforest margins to deserts and subalpine areas.

Multiple annual cultivars in a host of colour forms from white to bronze to purple flowers have become available. Many of these are still sold in mixed seed packs. In Australia, many cultivars are perennial shrubs, which have become popular garden plants. Sturdier, long-stemmed forms are used commercially in the cut flower industry.

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CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Autumn brings us chrysanthemums, perfect for celebrating our Mums on Mum's Day this Sunday coming.

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FLORIST FLOWERS

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ALSTROEMERIA

Alstroemeria, commonly called the Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Alstroemeriaceae. They are all native to South America although some have become naturalised in the United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Almost all of the species are restricted to one of two distinct centres of diversity, one in central Chile, the other in eastern Brazil. Species of Alstroemeria from Chile are winter-growing plants while those of Brazil are summer-growing. All are long-lived perennials except A. graminea, a diminutive annual from the Atacama Desert of Chile.

The genus was named after the Swedish baron Clas Alströmer (1736 – 1794) by his close friend Carolus Linnaeus. Many hybrids and at least 190 cultivars have been developed, featuring many different markings and colours, including white, yellow, orange, apricot, pink, red, purple, and lavender. The most popular and showy hybrids commonly grown today result from crosses between species from Chile (winter-growing) with species from Brazil (summer-growing). This strategy has overcome the florists' problem of seasonal dormancy and resulted in plants that are evergreen, or nearly so, and flower for most of the year. This breeding work derives mainly from trials that began in the United States in the 1980s.

The flower, which resembles a miniature lily, is very popular for bouquets and flower arrangements in the commercial cut flower trade. Most cultivars available for the home garden will bloom in the late spring and early summer. The roots are hardy to a temperature of −5 °C. The plant requires at least six hours of morning sunlight, regular watering, and well-drained soil.

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ROSES, ROSES, ROSES

Roses are in season and every florist shop is full of them. Especially so, this time of the year, with Valentine's Day tomorrow. If you celebrate it, Happy Valentine's Day!

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AT THE FLORIST

At the amazing Eufloria Florist Shop in Camberwell where amazing flowers are on display every day of the year. Excellent flowers, plants, merchandise, as well as exceptional service.

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ORIENTAL LILIES

Lilium (members of which are true lilies) is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large prominent flowers. Lilies are a group of flowering plants which are important in culture and literature in much of the world. Most species are native to the temperate northern hemisphere, though their range extends into the northern subtropics. Many other plants have "lily" in their common name but are not related to true lilies. 

The lilies illustrated here are Oriental hybrids (Division VII). These are based on hybrids within Lilium section Archelirion, specifically L. auratum and L. speciosum, together with crossbreeds from several species native to Japan, including L. nobilissimum, L. rubellum, L. alexandrae, and L. japonicum. They are fragrant, and the flowers tend to be outward facing. Plants tend to be tall, and the flowers may be quite large.

The whole group are sometimes referred to as "stargazers" because many of them appear to look upwards. They are used extensively as a cut flower and are long-lasting in flower arrangements.

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HELLO SUMMER

The mercury climbed up to 34˚C in our garden today, so we did well to pick the amaryllis and white lily early in the morning, before the sun fried them. The amaryllis is a wonderful salmon pink colour, and the white Christmas Lily is delightfully perfumed.

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SPRING AT THE FLORIST'S

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A ROSE...

And what a rose! The magnificent 'Mr Lincoln' currently in bloom in our garden.

Rosa 'Mister Lincoln', also known as 'Mr. Lincoln', is a dark red hybrid tea rose cultivar. Bred by Herbert Swim and Weeks Rose Growers in 1964, the rose was named an All-America Rose Selections winner in 1965.

The stock parents of this rose are the hybrid tea rose cultivars 'Chrysler Imperial' and 'Charles Mallerin'. The plant was introduced into the United States via California by Star Roses in 1965. 'Mister Lincoln' was the best-selling crimson rose in the US for many years. Known as the "California drought friendly native rose", it won the All-America Rose Selections award in 1965.

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AT THE FLORIST

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AT PRESTON MARKET

Flower shop at Preston Market. Spring has arrived.

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DAFFODIL SEASON

Yes, they've started blooming.

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STIRRINGS OF SPRING

The fragrant violets and wattles are blooming in the garden, and the first bulbs are showing their flowers: Anemones, jonquils and lachenalias. Meanwhile, the neighbour's almond tree is all buds that are unfurling their blossoms. Spring is not too far away, although we've had some bitterly cold days...

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AT THE FLORIST'S

A cheerful sight in mid-winter, a florist shop in full bloom! Thank goodness for glasshouses...

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BIRTHDAY BOUQUET

An early Winter bouquet from our garden with golden wattles, orange calendulas, pink bergenias, red alstroemerias and white daisies.

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CHRYSANTHEMUM

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AT THE FLORIST

A wonderful florist shop in Camberwell, "Eufloria" always  has a huge variety of delightful, fresh flowers. A pleasure to shop in!

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FLOWER STALL

At the Camberwell Market.

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ITOH PEONY

ITOH Peony "Garden Treasure" is a very successful Intersectional (Itoh) Peony first released in 1984. Gold medal winner with the American peony society and for good reason! Fast to establish, extremely floriferous over a long period maybe 3 weeks, tall and bushy makes this beauty a desired plant in the garden. One of the Itohs that has also been successfully used as a cut flower, with over a week vase life if cut in bud.

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